Water Heater Repair and Installation
Most people don’t think about their water heater until a cold shower reminds them it exists. R&L Plumbing provides water heater repair and installation across San Francisco and the East Bay for traditional tank and tankless systems.
Whether your water heater has stopped working, isn’t keeping up with your household, or needs to be replaced, we can find the problem and explain your options.
| Situation | What to consider |
|---|---|
| No hot water | Diagnose the cause |
| Repeated problems or a leaking tank | Repair vs. replacement |
| Hot water runs out quickly | System condition, capacity, and household demand |
| Want to save space and energy | Tankless water heater |
Repair or Replace?
Not every water heater problem means you need a new unit. A repair may make sense when the heater is otherwise in good condition and the problem can be fixed with new parts.
Replacement may be the better option if the tank is leaking, problems keep coming back, or the unit has significant rust or wear. Problems like no hot water, water that isn’t getting hot enough, or unusual noises don’t automatically mean replacement—the cause matters.
We’ll check the system, identify the cause, and recommend the next step.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead of preheating and storing hot water in a tank. They take up less space and can reduce standby energy use because they don’t need to keep a tank heated.
A properly sized tankless system can provide hot water continuously as long as demand stays within the unit’s capacity. The right setup depends on your household’s hot water use and the home’s existing gas or electrical system.
If a gas line needs to be added or changed for the installation, see our gas line repair and installation service.
What Does Water Heater Installation Involve?
For a tank replacement, we remove the existing unit and connect the new water heater to the home’s water supply and the appropriate gas or electrical connection.
Switching from a tank to a tankless system can involve additional work, depending on the existing plumbing, gas supply, electrical capacity, venting, and location. We’ll look at the setup and explain what the installation requires before work begins.
We also provide residential plumbing services for other plumbing needs throughout the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I should repair or replace my water heater?
It depends on the condition of the unit and what’s wrong with it. An isolated problem may be worth repairing, while a leaking tank, repeated failures, or significant wear can make replacement the better option.
Are tankless water heaters worth the extra cost?
They can be if you want to save space or need longer periods of hot water. Tankless units usually cost more to install, so whether they’re worth it depends on your home and how you use hot water.
How long does water heater installation take?
A standard tank replacement usually takes a few hours. Switching to tankless can take longer if gas, electrical, venting, or plumbing changes are needed.
What size water heater do I need?
It depends on how many people live in the house and how much hot water is used at the same time. We can help determine the right tank capacity or tankless flow rate for your household.
Get Your Water Heater Working Again
Whether your water heater needs a repair or it’s time for a replacement, we can diagnose the problem and help you choose the right next step.